Judy (Wulfenstein) Maughan, a 1986 graduate of Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS), has built a fulfilling life rooted in family, community, and her love for photography. After high school, Judy attended Dixie College in St. George, where she earned a two-year degree, before transferring to Brigham Young University to complete her bachelor’s degree in marketing.
One of Judy’s fondest memories from her time at PVHS was her experience as a cheerleader. She cheered all four years of high school and loved the camaraderie and excitement that came with supporting her school’s teams. “I was a Trojan at heart. I loved cheering for my teams, everything about it,” she reflects. Another fond memory for Judy was winning Homecoming Queen in 1985. Judy also had a passion for sewing, inspired by her time in a textiles class taught by Mrs. Kathy Eason. She fondly recalls the joy of learning to sew, and she has a particular fondness for sewing ballgowns for big events for her daughters and nieces, which she continues to sew today, as well as items for her grandchildren. Additionally, she excelled in math, crediting her favorite teacher, Mr. Anderson, who she had in both middle school and high school, as a significant positive influence on her academic journey. “He was just a great teacher, a great mentor, and a good friend to the kids in high school,” she remembers.
Following her college education, Judy was recruited by Walmart into their management program—a challenging and demanding role that she thrived in. However, she soon realized that the demanding nature of the job was not conducive to the family life she envisioned. “I loved everything about it—it was creative, it changed every day, but you can’t do that job and raise children,” she reflected. When Judy began her family, she decided to leave her corporate role and focus on raising her children, a decision she has never regretted.
Judy’s path to photography began when friends frequently asked her to take their family photos. What started as a hobby turned into a career when she realized her talent behind the lens. “It was one of the scariest things—creating a price list and charging people for their pictures,” she recalls. With encouragement from her husband, who was always an avid photography enthusiast, Judy took the leap and began her photography business. Her timing was fortuitous, as she soon secured a position as the sports teams’ photographer for PVHS—a role she is grateful to have held for 17 years.
Judy credits her parents as her greatest influences. “My mother taught me to be gracious, kind, and loving. Aside from best friends my own age, my mom was my lifelong best friend,” Judy’s dad was a huge influence, especially when it came to work ethic. “My dad was the hardest worker I’ve ever met. There was never a clock-in, clock-out mentality—it was always about getting the job done,” she says. Her father’s influence helped her navigate the challenges she faced early in her career, particularly in management, where she had to make difficult decisions, such as terminating employees.
Throughout her career, Judy has learned the importance of facing challenges head-on and maintaining confidence. “You may not always make people happy, but the goal is to satisfy them,” she advises, reflecting on her experiences as both a Walmart manager and a photographer.
Judy and her husband Doug, whom she met at BYU, have been married since 1989. “I married an Alaskan and convinced him to move to the desert,” Judy jokes. Together, they share four children, all of whom graduated from Pahrump Valley High School and have gone on to pursue their own successful paths. Their eldest daughter, Rachel, is a schoolteacher in St. George where three of her four children live. Their son, Scott, is married to Evelyn, and they have a five-month-old son, Julian. Sabrina, their second daughter, is married to Ben Ivie, and they have two children, Ren (5) and Russell (3). Judy delights in spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren, describing her affection for them as “over the top.” The youngest of Judy’s children, Tristan, is currently a college student, and Judy enjoys having his company during the summer months when he is home. He will soon head back to school to continue his studies.
Beyond her professional and family life, Judy has remained deeply connected to the PVHS community. In addition to her role as the teams photographer, she also spent 15 years assisting with the PVHS dance team (retiring at the end of 2023), a role she treasures. “I love watching them and staying involved with what they are doing in their lives,” she says fondly. Judy is also involved in the Miss Pahrump pageant, an event her father started in 1976. She, along with her sister, Cindy (Colucci), sister-in-law Terri (Wulfenstein) and good friend Janet Errett, took on the role of organizing the pageant after their daughters had all competed. For Judy, the pageant and the dance team were opportunities to help young girls see the potential within themselves. “I love stripping off that layer of doubt or fear and just telling them, ‘You can do this, you can be amazing,'” she shares.
A regular church attender, Judy finds spiritual fulfillment in her faith, which has been an integral part of her life. She participates in church activities and enjoys the sense of community it brings. Her involvement in church is another way she stays connected to her values and the people around her.
Judy also enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly at the beach, which she describes as her happy place. “I’m an ocean person, a beach person,” she says, her eyes lighting up. Despite living in the desert, she makes it a point to visit the beach whenever possible, finding peace and rejuvenation by the water. And if she isn’t taking a trip to the beach, her other favorite activity is to take her grandchildren to Disneyland. “They love Disneyland, we all love it,” Judy shares. “So if we can take them, we take them.”
Judy’s life is a testament to the deep connections she has fostered—with her family, her craft, and her community. Her love for her children and grandchildren is boundless, woven into every stitch of fabric she sews, every photograph she captures and every moment spent together. It’s this love that drives her to give back to the community that has shaped her, whether through her involvement with local events or simply cheering on the next generation of Pahrump Valley High School students. In all that she does, Judy remains rooted in the belief that life’s greatest joys come from nurturing relationships, finding beauty in the everyday moments and loving what you do. As she continues to live out her passions, she leaves an indelible mark on those around her, embodying the spirit of generosity and connection that makes her a cherished member of the Pahrump community.
